Recently, on another board, I posed the question "What should you do?" when you find a gun while diving. It turns out a few people had indeed found guns and had to make that decision. My question was prompted because we've been finding lots of WWI-era 30-06 ammunition, some in stripper clips.
Note that I'm talking about contemporary guns, typically thrown off a dock or dropped from a boat, not historical artifacts -- which is another matter entirely.
In short:
So, of course, we found a handgun yesterday while diving. In this case there was nothing left but a block of rust, with no magazine. We didn't report this one.
Have you found a gun? What did you do? Please post pictures.
Note that I'm talking about contemporary guns, typically thrown off a dock or dropped from a boat, not historical artifacts -- which is another matter entirely.
In short:
- Everybody acknowledges that an gun in the water may have been used in a crime, and (if you bring it up) the best action is probably to notify the police -- lest you be caught with a stolen weapon or one used in a crime.
- Due to poor vis, currents and silt where we dive, "mark the spot and leave it for the police" generally won't work. If you don't pick it up immediately it's likely gone for good. YMMV.
- The decision whether to take it really comes down to the diver's comfort level with firearms and the condition of the gun. In all cases, you should make sure it's safe before handling it.
- Ammunition becomes unstable over time. It's probably dead after being in the water for a while, but you don't know that. I leave ammo on the bottom now.
So, of course, we found a handgun yesterday while diving. In this case there was nothing left but a block of rust, with no magazine. We didn't report this one.
Have you found a gun? What did you do? Please post pictures.